RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

Personal items can include a backpack, laptop, purse or other small bags. While travellers with children under the age of two also can bring onboard an additional item such as a stroller or diaper bag.

However, the fee applies to each item above those limits.

There will be fees for passengers with more than two small personal items weighing more than 25 pounds

U.S. airlines started introducing bag fees in 2008 and now charge a standard fee of $25 (£16) for the first checked suitcase.

Those fees generated $1.6 billion for the airlines in the first quarter of this year.

But the airline charges also are more extensive than what Amtrak plans, and Magliari said the train operator didn't start its fees to make more money.

Passengers walk to their Amtrak train. Each year over 31 million passenger exceed luggage limits by bringing on board too many cases

He said: 'It is simply a space and safety initiative,'

Magliari added that the fee was aimed at a small percentage of the company's 31 million passengers who exceed limits for what they can bring on board for free.

Passengers can avoid the fee by checking their bags through to the final destination, if that service is available on their train.